H.M.'s BLOG

I spent thousands of dollars and a whole lot of time on a degree I didn't use. I took an opportunity to finish my education which had always been one of my goals in life. But, I wasn't cut out for the banking world. Now, I could have sucked it up and gone into a job I hated every day. I would have been financially compensated but little else. Some people are brilliant at business. I am not one of them.

Three years ago, Ken and I sat down and looked at our budget to see if I could afford some time off to pursue my dream of writing a novel. It was a crazy adventure, and I loved every minute of it, even the not-so-great parts.

But as much as I loved writing the first book, I didn't feel the same about the second one. I felt trapped by the genre and that I had made a rookie mistake of trying to turn one story into a trilogy. I had another decision to make. I could keep going down one path because I'd spent a long time on or I could start a different path.

Before I got sick this summer, I was trying to finish an Algebra class so I could start my Master's in the fall. That didn't happen. I had more choices to make. Did I continue on this path? With not knowing how RA was going to affect my health long-term, would I ever be able to use my degree in the traditional classroom? Would the hours and money I put into it even be worth it?

I had to evaluate the expectations I had for myself. Regarding teaching, I have no idea what my future holds, but God does. I start my Algebra course next month, and if I pass, I can start the Master's program in January. Is there a possibility I won't use the degree? Yes. But there's just as strong of a possibility that I will. Sometimes you just have to take a chance.

And I plan to continue writing, just in a different genre with a story I have wanted to write for a long time. At some point at the end of this year or the beginning of next, I will go back and give my first book a new ending. But for now, I am excited to be on the path that I'm supposed to be on.